OCR

COOL BURK.
i-.. .. .. 4. ,..-. vs.
“It’sa long trail,” he said, speaking
aloud for the first time; “but 1 know,
from the lay of the land, that we must
be near its end. Ha!"
The exclamation was caused by the
sig'.it of an object hanging from a bush
ahead.
Quickly gaining possession of it, a mur-
inured expression of joy left his lips.
Holding it up to the others, they saw
that it was a piece of cloth torn from a
woman’s dress.
CHAPTER XII.
MORE MYSTERY.
“It came from Dora Dunlap’s dress,”
declared Burke. “We are on the right
trail: but I don’t dare to let you go
further with the horses. Disiiiouiit, and
lead them around to the east side of that
bluff ahead. I will follow the trail alone,
but if I need you, I will signal, and if not
will join you at my own convenience.
l )0 not get alarmed as long as you hear
nothing from me.”
"Let me go with you,” said Max. “ The
others can look after the horses.”
" Very well.”
Nothing loth, Single Shot and Adam
Smith dismounted, and, leading Max’s
horse with their own, turned aside from
the trail.
Bulrke and Max then moved slowly for-
VVZHK .
The country was becoming more
broken, and soon they reached the base
of a rocky eminence of considerable
height.
To their surprise, all evidence of the
trail suddenly ceased there.
The surface of the earth had become
too rocky to show any hoof-prints that
could be seen in the moonlight.
After going several rods, and search-
ing in vain for further signs, they paused.
“ ‘V9 shall have to wait until morning,”
said Burke. iii a low tone. “Ha! that
tells a story. “
Looking down the valley as his com-
panion spoke and pointed in that,direc-
tion, Max saw a horse not far away, leiss
urely clipping the leaves from a clump of
bushes.
The aiiiiiial,bor(- no s:ul<lle nor bridle,
and, fo all appcai'aii('<-. v.':is astray.
“ Max," whispered Burke, “go back
where the boys are. and see that nothing
happens wrong. I am going to watch
that brute awliilv. I think it will prove
a clew for us. l)on‘t be alarmed about
me until Isigiuil for you. Then do the
best you can. for you may kiiowl am in
clan rer.”
“ will come back if you say so."
" No; I do not think I shall need you.
Get away as quietly as you can. l01' We
do not know how near foes are.” .
Without delay Max sought his col?‘
panions, whom he found anxiously wait-
ing for him.
“Where is
Single Shot. ,
‘We have found a sign, and he is stop-
ping to look it out.” 1
In a few words Max told what he 1131
witnessed since leaving them. .
“ Bo ,” said the old miner, withasliake
of the liead, “that chap in buckskin he:
fetched us down liyer fer a tall time; bll
this old buffier don’t go back on 23. 01111111-
We’1lfol1er yer through fer beds sake,
Mad Max.” .
“O” course,” chimed in Adam Smith,
“but I tell ye. boyees, that Satan SI>99’,;
ited him away. and 1 tell ye, ye do" I
ketch me in Black Holler again, onceti
get away this time with my f0P'k"0li
but I’m goin’ to stand to the scratc 1
now.” H ,,
“ Give me your hand on that, boy 5’
said Max.
“I think we shan’t have to S0 "mch
further for a stopping-place, as that ledge
yonder seems to promise good shelter.’ ”
“We are with ye every ‘tulle, Cap ‘"7
and the others pressed his hand as 3
pledge of their sincerity.
In the midst of their temporary halt 3
sound was borne to their ears that seemed
like a human voice. I
“May I be cliawed up for a rattler 81'
didn‘t hear some one speak!” exclaimed
Smith.
“ Hist! there it is again!”
“ Has the captain coine?”
The three miners heard the words so
plainly that they looked around in sur-
prise, expecting to see some one standing
near by. .
To their surprise, no one was in.S1ght-
Hark! The answer came as distinctll”
LL ‘.7
Buckskin Burke?” asked
Asilence of several minutes followed,
during which they gazed in evelj)’ d,"'ec'
tion, but not a living object was in sight,
look where they would.
“ Hang it!”caine the voice as
ever, “why don’t he come??
Nick is to pa !”
“ W'hat‘s up?” . ,
“ Up? I tell you the Old Nick is t0
pay! A lot of chaps have come from
)riftwood to prospect the Holler. T119“
there's another gang coming to run a road
right through the raiige.” '
“ lVell, let ‘em come. I reckon no one
keers."
“ Keers? Are you a fool? .I)o,n’t X0“
see they'll raise particular Cain, special-
ly if they git together."
lain as
he Old